U.S. President Confirms Relations with China Are Best They Have Ever Been

April 5, 2019—Before his bilateral meeting with China’s Vice Premier Liu He in the White House yesterday, President Donald Trump was effusive about both the scope of the trade deal being negotiated, and the strength of the U.S.-China relationship. Once again, the contrast between what Trump says, and is acting on, regarding China, and the insane China-bashing coming from his Vice President and others in the Cabinet, is startling.

Trump honored Liu He, who had come to Washington for trade negotiations with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin, as a “highly respected man all over the world.” The President reported,

“We’re getting very close to making a deal. That doesn’t mean a deal is made, because it’s not, but we’re certainly getting a lot closer. And I would think within the next four weeks or maybe less, maybe more—whatever it takes—something very monumental could be announced.”

He said that Liu He had given him a “beautiful letter” from President Xi Jinping, and twice praising Xi’s strong actions to crack down on the fentanyl production in China.

Liu He concurred that the progress in the trade talks was substantial:

“We have made great progress. I do think that is because we got direct guidance by two great Presidents—President Xi and President Trump. And I will always feel your direct directions, because of your direct involvement, we do have great progress.”

Trump said:

“I think a trade deal with China is good for the world. It’s good for us and China, but it’s good, also, for the world.... But it’s a massive deal. It could be one of the biggest deals ever made. There can’t be a deal like this, no matter where you look, there can’t be a deal like this. This is this is the granddaddy of them all. And we’ll see if it happens. It’s got a very, very good chance of happening. I think that it will be great for both countries.”

He repeated that he doesn’t blame China for the loss of American jobs and money to China—

“I don’t blame China; I blame the people that sat right at this desk. They should have never allowed that to happen. And I think very important is: The relationship with China is very strong—probably the strongest it’s ever been, in a sense.... And that’s not a bad thing; that’s a very good thing.”